Transcript of "D4 D Crew Press Kit"

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Cover Page<br />

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Nine Innings. Four Quarters. Two Halves.<br />Most athletes have a whole game to win or lose. In the fast-paced sport of NASCAR, pit crew athletes have less than 15 seconds to get the job done. Because seconds are so critical in a race, fast pit stops are crucial. One bad pit stop can send a potential winner to the back of the pack. One second can mean the difference between winning and losing.<br />The Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development Program presented by Sprint is a comprehensive year-round training program for minority and female pit crew athletes. <br />The program teaches aspiring pit crew members the fundamentals, discipline and confidence required to be a top athlete on pit road. The pit crew training program includes hands-on over-the-wall position training for tire changers, tire carriers, fuelers and jackmen, as well as weight training, agility and footwork programs.<br />Eligibility:Crew candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements:• At least 18 years old, with high school diploma or GED• Valid driver’s license and reliable personal transportation• Live within a 50 mile radius of training facility in Mooresville, N.C.• Have completed a physical exam by a physician within two months of training start date• Ability to devote three to four afternoons per week to training<br />

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Pit Crew Members<br />Pierre Banks, 23, is a native of Durham, N.C., and started his athletic career at Southern Durham High School. Banks played multiple positions in football and also ran track at Southern Durham, receiving All-Conference honors in both sports. He was also named the North Carolina High School Athletic Association PAC-6 Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2003.<br />After high school, Banks enrolled at the Air Force Academy Prep School and was recruited by Appalachian State University, where he was an All-American linebacker and part of three national-championship teams (2005, 2006 and 2007).<br />Banks didn&apos;t just excel on the field; he also excelled in the classroom, earning his bachelor&apos;s degree in communications in just three years and moving on to earn his master&apos;s degree in educational media.<br />Banks, the 16th of 17 children in his family, hopes his athletic ability and competitive nature will help him pursue a career as an over-the-wall pit crew athlete with the support of the Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development program presented by Sprint.<br />Rayshaud Barkley, a Virginia native, started his athletic career as a football player and wrestler at Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, Va. He continued his football career at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., as a defensive end and was team captain for the 2004 season.<br />Barkley earned his undergraduate degree in business finance from Liberty University and went on to earn his MBA from the University of Phoenix.<br />Barkley, 27, is relatively new to auto racing and NASCAR, but has been getting more into the sport in recent years. He knows that the Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development program presented by Sprint is providing him with a once in a lifetime opportunity to continue his athletic career and plans to make the most out of the opportunity.<br />Lionel Legra, 24, grew up in Miami, Fla., before relocating to Mooresville, N.C. Legra did not play sports in high school or college, but learned a strong work ethic and the importance of team work as a four-year member of his school’s JROTC team. As a senior, Legra was the Cadet Commander of the drill team.<br />Before joining the Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development program presented by Sprint, Legra gained experience in motorsports by volunteering with a number of small race teams, including PPC Racing and Cope Keller Racing.<br />Legra is confident that the D4D Crew Member program, along with his work ethic and will to succeed, will help master the skills required to be a top tire carrier in the sport.<br />Tesfa Lee, 29, is a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., who now lives in Charlotte, N.C. Lee was introduced to motorsports by his friend, and fellow Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development teammate, Anwar Parrish.<br />Lee has always had a love for speed and racing. Growing up in New York, he followed all forms of racing from motorcycles to stock cars but hadn’t considered making his love of speed into a career.<br />After being introduced to the competition and athleticism involved in pitting a racecar, Lee knew he wanted to pursue training as a pit crew athlete. A self-motivated individual, Lee is ready to rise to the challenge.<br />

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Pit Coach<br />Phil Horton is currently the pit crew coach for the Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development program presented by Sprint, as well as the strength and conditioning coach for Revolution Racing. Horton got his start in NASCAR as a personal trainer for former driver Ernie Irvin. Horton’s clientele soon broadened to include pit crew athletes, as well as eight other NASCAR drivers and 12 race teams over the span of seven years.<br />Over the years, Horton has developed his own coaching philosophy for the pit crew athletes who service the race cars and has enjoyed tremendous success as a pit crew coach and athletic trainer in the industry.<br />Horton, an accomplished high school athlete, graduated from North Carolina A&T State University in 1983 with a degree in Health and Physical Education/Sports Medicine and continued academic studies in the graduate program at Michigan State University. During his time at Michigan State, he was also employed as a Grad Assistant Football Athletic Trainer. In 1985, Horton was hired at Florida A&M University as its first certified Head Athletic Trainer.<br />In 1990, Horton continued his career as the Head Football Athletic Trainer at Memphis State University, today known as University of Memphis. With a growing desire to pursue a career in professional athletics, he left Memphis to become the Assistant Athletic Trainer and Strength Coach with the NBA Milwaukee Bucks from 1991 to 1996.<br />Shortly after leaving the Bucks, Horton returned to North Carolina and his private athletic training practice and began his work in NASCAR.<br />

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Quick Facts<br />What is the Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development Program?<br />The Crew Member Development Program presented by Sprint is a multi-year pit crew development program with incremental placement opportunities with NASCAR’s regional and national touring series. The program provides opportunities for qualified minorities and females to train as pit crew athletes and work with established NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race teams.<br /> <br />How many crew members will the program train?<br />At any given time, up to 20 pit crew athletes are training with the Crew Member Development Program presented by Sprint.<br /> <br />What type of training do the crew members receive?<br />Participants in the Crew Member Development Program presented by Sprint participate in rigorous over-the-wall training before earning a placement opportunity with an established NASCAR team. The program will teach aspiring pit crew members the fundamentals, discipline and confidence required to be a top pit crew athlete. The pit crew training program includes hands-on over-the-wall pit stop training, weight training, agility and footwork programs and supplemental learning programs including media training, professional conduct and mechanical skills.<br /> <br />Where do the crew members train?<br />Participants in the Crew Member Development Program presented by Sprint will train with pit crew coach/athletic trainer Phil Horton at the Revolution Racing shop in Mooresville, N.C.<br /> <br />How is Sprint involved with the Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development Program?<br />Sprint has been a supporter of the Drive for Diversity program since its inception in 2004. For the last three seasons, Sprint has been the presenting sponsor of the Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development Program presented by Sprint.<br /> <br />For more information about the Crew Member Development Program presented by Sprint, please visit www.drivefordiversity.com<br />

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PRESS RELEASE<br />Sprint to Present 2009 Drive for Diversity Crew Member Program<br />Program to Provide Over-the-Wall Pit Crew Training for Minorities and Females<br /> <br />HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (April 22, 2009) – Sprint will continue to support the Drive for Diversity program as presenting sponsor of the Crew Member Development program, it was announced today by The 909 Group. Sprint is a longtime supporter of the Drive for Diversity initiative.<br /> <br />“Sprint is pleased to support the Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development program again in 2009,” said Mark Evans, Sprint’s Manager Corporate Sponsorship – Sports Marketing. “As a partner of the Drive for Diversity program since its inception, Sprint is proud to support an initiative that will help broaden the motor sports industry now and in the future.”<br /> <br />The 2009 Crew Member Development program presented by Sprint will give up to 14 minority and female crew candidates the opportunity to train as over-the-wall pit crew athletes. Selected crew members will enter a comprehensive year-round training program at a private facility in Mooresville, N.C. with pit crew trainer Phil Horton. The program will teach individuals the fundamentals, discipline and confidence needed to compete as a pit crew athlete with a top NASCAR team and will consist of weight, agility and position training for tire changers, tire carriers, fuelers and jackmen.<br /> <br />“The 2009 Crew Member Development program presented by Sprint will provide candidates with a rigorous over-the-wall training program,” said John Story, managing partner of The 909 Group. “The program will provide aspiring pit crew members the knowledge and training necessary to advance within the sport and our plan is to develop talent and provide job-placement services for the participants as their skills and abilities increase.”<br /> <br />Interested minorities, including Hispanics and African Americans as well as females, can apply by sending resumes outlining their previous work experience and athletic training to info@the909grp.com. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age with a minimum of a high school diploma and the ability to devote three to four afternoons per week to training. Tryouts will be held prior to May 4 with training scheduled to begin on that day.<br />The Drive for Diversity program is in its sixth season as NASCAR’s leading on-track diversity initiative. The program, managed by The 909 Group, gives minority and female drivers and crew members an opportunity to compete with established NASCAR teams. Participating crew members have gone on to compete with NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams.<br /> <br />For more information, or to apply for the Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development program presented by Sprint, please visit drivefordiversity.com.<br /> <br />About Drive for Diversity<br />The Drive for Diversity program, managed by The 909 Group, develops minority and female drivers in the NASCAR Camping World Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Since the creation of NASCAR’s leading on-track diversity initiative in 2004, 22 drivers have competed, winning 28 races. Last year, eight drivers combined for 14 wins, 90 top 10s and a first-ever track championship. The Drive for Diversity program also supports crew member candidates each year. The Drive for Diversity program is committed to supporting and enhancing diversity in all aspects of motorsports. Much of the success of the Drive for Diversity initiative is a result of support from key sponsors and involved team owners.<br /> <br />About Sprint<br />Sprint offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving nearly 53 million customers at the end of the first quarter 2008; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.<br />

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PRESS RELEASE<br />Drive for Diversity gears up for Sprint All Star Week<br />HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (May 11, 2009) – The Drive for Diversity program is gearing up for NASCAR Sprint All Star Race week in Charlotte, N.C., with program drivers and crew members participating in All-Star Race week activities. Drive for Diversity will participate in NASCAR Rev’d Up and the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman.<br /> <br />Ten members of the Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development Program presented by Sprint will be on stage at the NASCAR Rev’d Up event in uptown Charlotte on Wednesday, May 13. Drive for Diversity crew members will participate in a Q&A session with Miss Sprint Cup. <br /> <br />NASCAR Rev’d Up is a six-hour event highlighted by a concert with Everfine/Atlantic recording group O.A.R. The event, which is free to the public, will take place Wednesday, May 13 between 3rd and Mint Streets in uptown Charlotte from 4 – 10 pm.<br /> <br />On Thursday, May 14, Drive for Diversity drivers and crew members will be on-hand at the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman. Drivers Michael Cherry, Laura Hayes and Megan Reitenour will be signing autographs in concourse of Time Warner Arena prior to the start of the Pit Crew Challenge. Drive for Diversity crew members and staff from The 909 Group, which manages the program, will also be on hand. Doors open at 5:30 pm; the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman gets underway at 7 pm.<br /> <br />The Drive for Diversity program is in its sixth season as NASCAR’s leading on-track diversity initiative. The program gives minority and female drivers and crew members an opportunity to compete with established NASCAR teams.<br /> <br />For more information on the Drive for Diversity program please visit drivefordiversity.com.<br /> <br /> <br />About Drive for Diversity<br />The Drive for Diversity program, managed by The 909 Group, develops minority and female drivers in the NASCAR Camping World Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Since the creation of NASCAR’s leading on-track diversity initiative in 2004, 22 drivers have competed, winning 28 races. Last year, eight drivers combined for 14 wins, 90 top 10s and a first-ever track championship. The Drive for Diversity program also supports crew member candidates each year. The Drive for Diversity program is committed to supporting and enhancing diversity in all aspects of motorsports. Much of the success of the Drive for Diversity initiative is a result of support from key sponsors and involved team owners.<br /> <br /> <br />About The 909 Group<br />The 909 Group is a full-service sports, entertainment and lifestyle marketing company located in Huntersville, N.C. The company combines the strengths and experience of decades of hands-on practice in entertainment and sports, and provides innovative solutions to companies and individuals throughout sports and entertainment. For its corporate clients the company’s services include project management, on-line marketing, brand-building campaigns and sponsorship procurement; and in the area of talent management it offers services in contract negotiation, endorsements, licensing, promotions, charitable endeavors and speaking engagements. www.the909grp.com.<br />

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PRESS RELEASE<br />D4D Pit Crew Members Head to Las Vegas<br />HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (December 16, 2009) – Several members of the Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program presented by Sprint traveled to Las Vegas earlier this month for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week.<br />D4D crew members, led by pit crew coach Phil Horton, were invited to participate in the Champion’s Victory Lap Parade on Thursday, Dec. 3. The top 12 drivers in the final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points standings took a Victory Lap along Las Vegas Boulevard. The Victory Lap included a burnout by champion Jimmie Johnson and two-tire pit stops, performed by the D4D pit crew, for all 12 cars.<br />“This was a great experience for our pit crew athletes,” said Horton. “They’ve trained hard all season and this was a great way to finish off the year and showcase their talents.”<br />Drive for Diversity pit crew athletes train year-round at Revolution Racing in Mooresville, N.C. D4D pit crew members have gone on to work in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series.<br />About Drive for Diversity<br />The Drive for Diversity program, managed by The 909 Group, develops minority and female drivers in the NASCAR Camping World Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Since the creation of NASCAR’s leading on-track diversity initiative in 2004, 22 drivers have competed, winning 28 races. Last year, eight drivers combined for 14 wins, 90 top 10s and a first-ever track championship. The Drive for Diversity program also supports crew member candidates each year. The Drive for Diversity program is committed to supporting and enhancing diversity in all aspects of motorsports. Much of the success of the Drive for Diversity initiative is a result of support from key sponsors and involved team owners.<br />

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PRESS RELEASE<br />Drive for Diversity Crew Members Ready for 2010<br />D4D Pit Athletes to go Over-the-Wall at Daytona International Speedway<br /> <br />MOORESVILLE, N.C. (February 3, 2010) – The Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development Program presented by Sprint will kick-off the 2010 season Daytona International Speedway. Eight current Drive for Diversity pit crew athletes, along with at least three program graduates, will go over-the-wall during Speedweeks competition.<br />Seven current Drive for Diversity Crew Member program participants will compete with teams in the ARCA Re/Max Series event on Feb. 6. The ARCA Re/Max Series is used as a stepping stone for pit crew athletes looking to compete in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Nationwide Series or Sprint Cup Series as they develop their skills.<br />One D4D pit crew athlete, Anwar Parrish, will compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Front Row Motorsports in 2010. Parrish will make his debut with the team during the Daytona 500.<br />“Our Drive for Diversity pit crew athletes have trained hard during the off-season,” said pit crew coach Phil Horton. “It’s important for their development to get them real world, over-the-wall experience. We’re proud to have 11 pit crew athletes representing Drive for Diversity in Daytona.”<br />Three Drive for Diversity program graduates – Dion Williams, Kenyatta Houston and Antonio Morrison – have been competing with teams in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and will continue to compete at national level in 2010. Williams works for Hendrick Motorsports, Houston works for Kevin Harvick Inc. and Furniture Row Racing and Morrison works for Joe Gibbs Racing.<br />The Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development Program presented by Sprint is a comprehensive year-round training program for minority and female pit crew athletes. The program teaches aspiring pit crew members the fundamentals, discipline and confidence required to be a top athlete on pit road. The pit crew training program includes hands-on over-the-wall position training for tire changers, tire carriers, fuelers and jackmen, as well as weight training, agility and footwork programs.<br />Current Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development Program presented by Sprint pit crew athletes:<br />Rayshaud Barkley, 27, of Chesapeake, Va., will compete as a jackman for Cunningham Motorsports in the ARCA Re/Max Series.<br />Tesfa Lee, 29, of Brooklyn, N.Y., will compete as a tire changer with Coulter Motorsports in the ARCA Re/Max Series.<br />Lionel Legra, 24, of Miami, Fla., will go over-the-wall in the ARCA Re/Max Series as a tire carrier for Cunningham Motorsports.<br />Marcus McGruder, 27, of Atlanta, is a tire changer and will be competing with Cunningham Motorsports in the ARCA Re/Max Series.<br />Anwar Parrish, 27, of Shelby, N.C., will be competing as a tire carrier with Front Row Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.<br />Josh Edwards, 24 of Ocala, Fla., will compete with Cunningham Motorsports as a jackman in the ARCA Re/Max Series.<br />Kevin Richardson, 23 of Elizabethtown, N.C., is a tire changer and will be competing in the ARCA Re/Max Series with Cunningham Motorsports.<br />Richie Williams, 26, of Camden, S.C., will compete as a jackman for Coulter Motorsports in the ARCA Re/Max Series.<br />About Drive for Diversity<br />The Drive for Diversity program, managed by The 909 Group, develops minority and female drivers in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Since the creation of NASCAR’s leading on-track diversity initiative in 2004, 31 drivers have competed, winning 34 races. Last year,12 drivers combined for six wins, 51 top fives and 125 top 10s. The Drive for Diversity program also supports crew member candidates each year. The Drive for Diversity program is committed to supporting and enhancing diversity in all aspects of motorsports. Much of the success of the Drive for Diversity initiative is a result of support from key sponsors and involved team owners.<br />